The significance of "Shiv-ling" in the worship of Brahman (God)

by Seva Lamberdar Sat Jul 27, 2024 9:11 am

The origin of name of God (Brahman) as Shiv (or Shiva) is post-Vedic, as there is no mention of Shiv / Shiva in the Vedas.

The name Shiv / Shiva for God probably originated and became popular over time after people began to use a solid (stone) image of flame in the place of live fire during worship (yajna), calling the solid image as "shiv ling" ("auspicious symbol"; shiv / shiva in Sanskrit meaning auspicious and ling / linga meaning symbol).

The use of solid "Shiv ling" (implying "auspicious symbol") in the place of live fire to worship and pray (including make offerings of oblation to the deity by using "Shiv ling") eliminated the need for fire during worship (yajna), thus making the worship of God easy and quick anywhere and anytime of the day / night without needing to start / light a fire by rubbing sticks prior to worship / yajna long ago.

Performing of worship of God by people by using shiv-ling would over time give rise to the name of God as Shiv (meaning originally auspicious), which obviously cemented the connection between deity name Shiv and the worship symbol Shiv-ling.

Moreover, the tales related to and in the name of Shiv / Shiva as deity appeared (were added) later as part of Puranic stories, as Shiv worship became popular among people with the passing of time during post-Vedic era.

by Seva Lamberdar Tue Aug 13, 2024 8:10 am

Incidentally, various doctrines (including the Shaiva Siddhanta, Shaktism and Pratyabhijna System) related to Shiva as Brahman (God) had their origins during the post-Vedic era, and they indicate the influence of Brahmanical (Ishwar-vadi or Vedic) philosophies, especially the Samkhya and the Vedanta (Dvaita and Advaita).

The significance of "Shiv-ling" in the worship of Brahman (God)

The significance of "Shiv-ling" in the worship of Brahman (God)

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